Google to expand newspaper ads experiment

Google is to expand its newspaper ad programme, after the better-than-expected success of its two-month test, working with 100 advertisers and 66 newspapers. The basis of Google's initiative is simple: through Google, (small) advertisers can bid on print newspaper ad space that hasn't been sold, thus injecting normally-lost revenue into papers. Newspaper managers have been unsure how much help such adverts provide, though some papers - such as the Chicago Tribune - have reported a relative increase in advertisers since joining the programme. Todd Haskell, vice president of business development at the New York Times is also optimistic: "We think it's a wonderful way to introduce advertisers to our paper, and to print overall." (Via Washington Post)